Next summer, New Zealand cricket team is set to host the world test champions, the Aussies, putting an end to nearly a decade-long drought. When Australia arrives for the two-test series in February and March, the anticipation will have built up for over eight years since they last played red ball cricket in New Zealand.
The memories of former captain and current England coach, Brendon McCullum’s final series for the Black Caps will be vivid, as he signed off with a magnificent century during New Zealand’s seven-wicket defeat at Hagley Oval.
Before the tests, a thrilling three-match T20 series against the Aussies will kick off the home summer for the Black Caps. The excitement doesn’t stop there, as a mouthwatering two-test series against South Africa awaits, presenting a challenging task for the New Zealanders who have never secured a series win against the Proteas.
In addition to the T20 series against Australia and South Africa, the Tim Southee-led Kiwis will face the Proteas in the only other home tests, scheduled at Tauranga’s Bay Oval and Hamilton’s Seddon Park in February.
The cricketing action commences earlier with three ODIs and three Twenty20s against Bangladesh, beginning in Dunedin on December 17. Subsequently, a thrilling five-match T20 series against Pakistan starts at Eden Park in Auckland on January 12, making it a packed and exhilarating home summer for the Black Caps.
New Zealand v Bangladesh
First ODI, Uni Oval, Dunedin, December 17
Second ODI, Saxton Oval, Nelson, December 20
Third ODI, McLean Park, Napier, December 23
First T20, McLean Park, Napier, December 27
Second T20, Bay Oval, Tauranga, December 29
Third T20, Bay Oval, Tauranga, December 31
New Zealand v Pakistan
First T20, Eden Park, Auckland, January 12
Second T20, Seddon Park, Hamilton, January 14
Third T20, Uni Oval, Dunedin, January 17
Fourth T20, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, January 19
Fifth T20, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, January 21
New Zealand v South Africa
First test, Bay Oval, Tauranga, February 4-8
Second test, Seddon Park, Hamilton, February 13-17
New Zealand v Australia
First T20, Sky Stadium, Wellington, February 21
Second T20, Eden Park, Auckland, February 23
Third T20, Eden Park, Auckland, February 25
First test, Basin Reserve, Wellington, February 29 to March 4
Second test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch, March 8-12
